Microsoft Surface

Available
now19th June 2012

Microsoft Surface is the name given to a new line of tablets
designed to compete directly with the Apple iPad in the premium
end of the market, and it marks the first time that Microsoft have
come to market with their own-branded hardware in this segment.

The name might seem familiar, because "Microsoft Surface"
was the name that Microsoft gave to an earlier touchscreen product
that used a 30" or 40" tabletop screen. This product has
now been renamed Microsoft
PixelSense, but this re-use of names might cause some confusion.

There are two main variants of the Surface devices. The smallest
and lightest device runs the new ARM-based Windows RT operating
system, then there is a bigger and heavier Intel-based version running
Windows 8 Pro. Both devices are clad in magnesium and come with
a range of magnetically attached covers and accessories, including
an integrated kickstand on the back.

The Windows RT device is much closer to a traditional tablet,
weighing just 676 grams and measuring just 9.3mm in thickness. It
sports a 10.6" ClearType HD display and ships with either 32GB
or 64GB of internal flash storage. The RT Surface has a microSD
slot, USB 2.0 connectivity, a micro HD video output port and an
advanced WiFi antenna. This version comes with a special home and
student version of Microsoft Office 2013 RT, plus a protective "Touch
Cover" and a thicker "Type Cover" which is a 5mm
thick keyboard.

The
Windows 8 Pro version of the Surface is broadly similar, again with
a 10.6" display but this time upgraded to full HD (so
presumably 1080p), coming in 64GB and 128GB configurations and with
a different port arrangement of USB 3.0, and a Mini DisplayPort
video connector instead. MicroSDXC cards are supported, and the
Surface for Windows 8 Pro has a Touch Cover, Type Cover and a pen
for finer control of elements on the screen. At 903 grams and 13.5mm
thick, the Windows 8 Pro Surface is not as slim and light as the
RT version, but it is still impressively lightweight nonetheless.

Windows 8 and Windows RT will both use the "Metro"
interface that was first seen in Windows Phone 7, however Windows
8 Pro users should have the option of a more traditional desktop
if they want. RT users are restricted to the Metro interface, and
this is very much a tablet operating system rather than the full-featured
Windows 8 Pro.

Microsoft have said that partners will get cost and feature parity
with their own line of devices, so Microsoft is presumably paying
itself licence fees for the software. Apart from a few hiccups with
the Xbox line, Microsoft have a good reputation when it comes hardware
quality over the years. Also, this move into computer manufacturing
might stoke rumours of a takeover of Nokia's hardware business.

Pricing
is not known at present, although the RT based Surface will have
to be competitive with the iPad 3 when it hits retailers. The Surface
for Windows RT devices should be available when Windows 8 launches,
with the Windows 8 Pro version following 90 days later.

Corporate customers may well be interested in Surface as it should
be easier to manage Windows-based devices in their environment.
But for all customers the Metro interface is a "love it or
hate it" affair, which looks refreshingly different from Apple
and Android products, but it is also very different from the traditional
Windows environment. However, more choice is always good and Windows
8 and Windows RT will certainly be a welcome addition to the market.